Suited to Succeed's "Suit-a-Palooza"

When it comes to how to look on the job, Monique L. Jones sets a great example for the clients of Suited to Succeed, a non-profit providing business clothing to Maryland women who are transitioning to the workplace from underemployment, welfare or a crisis situation. The 42-year-old Suited to Succeed board member and owner of business-concierge firm Help Them to Grow, which provides outsourced office tasks, loves a good suit. And she often finds them at Suited to Succeed's boutique at 10 Light St., which is open to the public on Tuesdays and sells new and gently used overstock outfits. "My favorites [are] Tahari and Ann Taylor suits. Suits scream professionalism and chic," Jones says. But this Catonsville resident also creatively builds on the look, using some other fashion obsessions, such as earrings ("I prefer the bigger ones because I have a short haircut") and shoes. Not just any shoes, mind you. Jones adores open-toed shoes -- to which she will often add embellishments like jeweled shoe clips, or even clip-on earrings. "My favorite time of year is summer, so I can get a pedicure and wear my toes out. I don't care if it rains. I still wear open-toed shoes," she says. "I was raised in California. Most of my young days, I spent with no shoes on. So it takes me there." HER STYLE: "Contemporary classic with a little spice." HER ENSEMBLE: Black Ann Taylor pencil skirt with exposed back zipper. Shirred green satin Bebe top. Heart lariat necklace from Nordstrom. Black suede heeled sandals from the BCBG store in Miami. Black Calvin Klein jacket, emerald snakeskin envelope handbag and gold loop earrings, all from the Suited to Succeed shop. HER FASHION EVOLUTION: "I used to be a tomboy. I didn't get into fashion until my late 30s. I worked in a business where we had uniforms. I started dressing up when I started my own company." HOW SHE SPICES IT UP: "I'll change an outfit to be something it wasn't mean to be. I have this brown maxi sundress that ties around your neck. But because it has long ties I will also make it into a one-shoulder dress and tie it differently. I've also made it a skirt."

When it comes to how to look on the job, Monique L. Jones sets a great example for the clients of Suited to Succeed, a non-profit providing business clothing to Maryland women who are transitioning to the workplace from underemployment, welfare or a crisis situation. The 42-year-old Suited to Succeed board member and owner of business-concierge firm Help Them to Grow, which provides outsourced office tasks, loves a good suit. And she often finds them at Suited to Succeed's boutique at 10 Light St., which is open to the public on Tuesdays and sells new and gently used overstock outfits. "My favorites [are] Tahari and Ann Taylor suits. Suits scream professionalism and chic," Jones says. But this Catonsville resident also creatively builds on the look, using some other fashion obsessions, such as earrings ("I prefer the bigger ones because I have a short haircut") and shoes. Not just any shoes, mind you. Jones adores open-toed shoes -- to which she will often add embellishments like jeweled shoe clips, or even clip-on earrings. "My favorite time of year is summer, so I can get a pedicure and wear my toes out. I don't care if it rains. I still wear open-toed shoes," she says. "I was raised in California. Most of my young days, I spent with no shoes on. So it takes me there." HER STYLE: "Contemporary classic with a little spice." HER ENSEMBLE: Black Ann Taylor pencil skirt with exposed back zipper. Shirred green satin Bebe top. Heart lariat necklace from Nordstrom. Black suede heeled sandals from the BCBG store in Miami. Black Calvin Klein jacket, emerald snakeskin envelope handbag and gold loop earrings, all from the Suited to Succeed shop. HER FASHION EVOLUTION: "I used to be a tomboy. I didn't get into fashion until my late 30s. I worked in a business where we had uniforms. I started dressing up when I started my own company." HOW SHE SPICES IT UP: "I'll change an outfit to be something it wasn't mean to be. I have this brown maxi sundress that ties around your neck. But because it has long ties I will also make it into a one-shoulder dress and tie it differently. I've also made it a skirt." (Karen Jackson, For The Baltimore Sun)

When it comes to how to look on the job, Monique L. Jones sets a great example for the clients of Suited to Succeed, a non-profit providing business clothing to Maryland women who are transitioning to the workplace from underemployment, welfare or a crisis situation. The 42-year-old Suited to Succeed board member and owner of business-concierge firm Help Them to Grow, which provides outsourced office tasks, loves a good suit. And she often finds them at Suited to Succeed's boutique at 10 Light St., which is open to the public on Tuesdays and sells new and gently used overstock outfits. "My favorites [are] Tahari and Ann Taylor suits. Suits scream professionalism and chic," Jones says. But this Catonsville resident also creatively builds on the look, using some other fashion obsessions, such as earrings ("I prefer the bigger ones because I have a short haircut") and shoes. Not just any shoes, mind you. Jones adores open-toed shoes -- to which she will often add embellishments like jeweled shoe clips, or even clip-on earrings. "My favorite time of year is summer, so I can get a pedicure and wear my toes out. I don't care if it rains. I still wear open-toed shoes," she says. "I was raised in California. Most of my young days, I spent with no shoes on. So it takes me there." HER STYLE: "Contemporary classic with a little spice." HER ENSEMBLE: Black Ann Taylor pencil skirt with exposed back zipper. Shirred green satin Bebe top. Heart lariat necklace from Nordstrom. Black suede heeled sandals from the BCBG store in Miami. Black Calvin Klein jacket, emerald snakeskin envelope handbag and gold loop earrings, all from the Suited to Succeed shop. HER FASHION EVOLUTION: "I used to be a tomboy. I didn't get into fashion until my late 30s. I worked in a business where we had uniforms. I started dressing up when I started my own company." HOW SHE SPICES IT UP: "I'll change an outfit to be something it wasn't mean to be. I have this brown maxi sundress that ties around your neck. But because it has long ties I will also make it into a one-shoulder dress and tie it differently. I've also made it a skirt."Karen Jackson, For The Baltimore Sun